Working with digital images

[charischris]

I know that Exif (metadata) is embedded by the camera and stored within the file itself (in this case, specifically, JPG).  However, is it possible for dates within the metadata to be altered by copying, moving, reloading, burning to CD, zipping/unzipping, or any other normal method of moving files.  Also, I know that editing a picture in a software that does not support the Exif data can sometimes strip the data, but can it merely alter the dates?

My reason for asking:  I was sent pictures with a specific 'date taken' and 'date digitized'.  However, I'm told that those dates are inaccurate, and that the pictures were taken long before.  The photographer claims that his moving the pics over the years have somehow change the embedded information.

[ShutterbugGail]

However, is it possible for dates within the metadata to be altered by copying, moving, reloading, burning to CD, zipping/unzipping, or any other normal method of moving files.  Also, I know that editing a picture in a software that does not support the Exif data can sometimes strip the data, but can it merely alter the dates?

Hi charischris,

Welcome to Digicamhelp.

I'm personally unaware that dates in Exif data can be altered. I know with certain programs such as Photoshop, that Exif data can be appended, but don't think the original data can be changed. As you rightly point out, Exif data can be stripped from a jpeg file if it isn't saved correctly.

I'm wondering if the person looked at the actual Exif data, or if he simply looked at the image properties and saw the date created or modified. The only other possible explanation I can think of, which is unlikely, is that the date was set incorrectly in the camera at the time the photos were taken.

[David]

The EXIF dates can be changed using software such as ACDSee photo management software.

I'm not sure if simply moving or copying files would change the EXIF date.

Also, I have some photos (jpg) that were taken in 1965, yet the EXIF date shows it was taken in August 2004. How? I scanned the original photo in August 2004 which created the resulting jpg file.

[Deb]

Hi there, copying files can change(write over) the EXIF data depending on how it was done and what software was used to copy the file. Frustrating, I know.

If I understand your comment and question regarding your scanned jpg ...
When you scan, you are, in effect, creating a new file therefore the date will reflect that scan date. This will be different from your original's creation date as the scan is a new file.

To illustrate how intriguing this can be, here's a link to an earlier discussion here at this forum. http://www.digicamhelp.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=q-b;action=display;num=1106102808 (EXIF Data).

[John Smith]

When I copy a JPG file to a CD-RW, the EXIF data is removed. Why does that happen and is there any way to prevent it?

Using IrfanView, I noticed there is something called "Comment" associated with the JPG files. Is this a part of the EXIF data or is it something unrelated?

[tonychien]

There is a tool called Opanda PowerExif Editor to edit Exif data in images. You can download it and have a try.

http://www.opanda.com/en/pe/download.htm

[ShutterbugGail]

When I copy a JPG file to a CD-RW, the EXIF data is removed. Why does that happen and is there any way to prevent it?

Using IrfanView, I noticed there is something called "Comment" associated with the JPG files. Is this a part of the EXIF data or is it something unrelated?

Hi John,

Sorry about not getting back to you sooner. Somehow the question slipped by all of us moderators!

I'm not sure why the EXIF data is being stripped when you transfer a jpeg file to a CD-RW. I'm assuming you're transfering originals, and not an edited version which can be stripped of data if it isn't saved correctly. One thing you may want to try, is putting your jpegs in a zipped/compressed folder.  I save jpegs all the time to cds, and have not lost exif data for originatls. I'm wondering if it is because you're using CD-RW.

The "Comment" feature in Irfanview is simply a place for you to write a comment about an image. It will stay with the image in the same fashion as exif data. Please note that, according to the window that opens when you open the comment dialog box, that unless you eliminate or until you change the comment, the same comment will be saved with every jpeg.

[ShutterbugGail]

There is a tool called Opanda PowerExif Editor to edit Exif data in images. You can download it and have a try.

http://www.opanda.com/en/pe/download.htm

Hello tonychien,

Welcome, and thanks for the information.

Also, for those not familiar with Irfanview mentioned by John Smith, you can find out more about it here:

http://irfanview.com/

And here's some info explaining Exif data:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/what-is-exif/index.htm